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Forkin
Side Dish

Plátanos Maduros Fritos

These sweet fried plantains are a staple in many Latin American cuisines, offering a delightful caramelized exterior and a soft, tender interior. They make a perfect sweet and savory side dish to complement a variety of meals. This vegan version focuses on simple preparation to highlight the natural sweetness of ripe plantains.

An original recipe by Forkin

Total time
25 min
Serves
4
Difficulty
Easy
Per serving
424 kcal
VeganVegetarianGluten-free
Plátanos Maduros Fritos

Mise en place

Ingredients

  • 3 pcsripe plantain, very ripe, skin mostly black
  • 0.5 cupvegetable oil
  • 0.25 tspsalt

Equipment

large skillet · paper towels · tongs · cutting board · knife

The method

Step by step

  1. 1

    Peel the ripe plantains by cutting off the ends and then making a shallow incision along the length of the skin, being careful not to cut into the flesh.

    About 2 min

    Cook’s note: Very ripe plantains will be easier to peel. The skin should be mostly black with some yellow.

  2. 2

    Slice each plantain diagonally into 1/2-inch thick pieces.

    About 2 min

  3. 3

    Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet or frying pan over medium heat until shimmering.

    About 3 min

    Cook’s note: Ensure the oil is hot enough to fry, but not smoking. A small piece of plantain should sizzle immediately when added.

  4. 4

    Carefully add the sliced plantains to the hot oil in a single layer, working in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding the pan.

    About 1 min

    Cook’s note: Overcrowding the pan can lower the oil temperature and make the plantains steam rather than fry.

  5. 5

    Fry for 3-5 minutes per side, or until golden brown and caramelized.

    About 8 min

    Cook’s note: Adjust heat as needed to prevent burning. The plantains should be tender inside.

  6. 6

    Remove the fried plantains from the pan and place them on a plate lined with paper towels to drain excess oil.

    About 1 min

  7. 7

    Lightly sprinkle with salt immediately after removing from the oil.

    Cook’s note: The salt enhances the sweetness of the plantains.

  8. 8

    Serve warm as a side dish.

Per serving

Nutrition

67%Score
Calories
423.9kcal
Protein
2g
Carbs
48g
Fat
27.9g
Fibre
3.4g
Sugar
22.5g

Estimated from the recipe’s ingredient quantities. Values can vary with brands and substitutions.

Keep it good

Storage

Store leftover fried plantains in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Reheating

Reheat in a dry skillet over medium heat or in a microwave until warmed through.